THE WILL TO LOVE - Vital Christianity

75AN EXAMPLEAbraham is a good example of what faith and obedience means. From his faith thereproceeded a promise and a covenant, “because you have obeyed my voice” (Ge 22:18).The writer of Hebrews described Abraham’s faith in these words:“By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that hadreceived the promise offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said,that in Isaac shall your seed be called: accounting that God was able to raisehim up, even from the dead; and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaacback from death” (Heb 11:17-19).His faith and obedience were so intermingled that no one can say where the one beganand the other ended. Abraham’s confidence, assurance and faith resulted in an obedience whichGod honored, both for Abraham’s good and for His own glory.We should search our own hearts to find out whether we are holding back from Godsomething we should be yielding in obedience. He always demands what is best for us and whatbrings Him the most glory. And he does not make mistakes. We acknowledge this fact butunfortunately often deny it in practice.SEARCHING QUESTIONSAre you prepared to love Him first when your human loves are broken, and when yourhopes are dashed to the ground? Have you come to that place where you are prepared to say,“Though He slay me, though He takes from me all my own planning, all my own wanting, I willstill love Him and obey Him. Although everything is taken from me, and although I am called towalk right through the fire, I am prepared to venture even when the furnace is heated seventimes; I am prepared to hold on, and dare believe that in love He has planned even this for me”?Obedience—is that for you?Perhaps you say, “Such a demand for obedience is far too much. It is not possible.” Thenyou need to look to Jesus, who paved the way by His obedience for us.THE SUPREME EXAMPLELook at the Lord as He leaves His Father’s home on high, as He moves into the world.Why? Because it was His Father’s will. He rejected the palace, He passed by the home of a priestor a rabbi, and He came to a stable.He worked as a carpenter in a carpenter’s shop. Tradition indicates that Joseph died early,so Jesus would have had to help Mary with the younger children during those hidden years. TheBible says, “He was obedient to them that is, His parents” (Lk 2:51).